Positive action release mechanism

ABSTRACT

A spring loaded lever is tied down by a resistor and released when an over supply of voltage is applied to the resistor from a command source. The lever can have a string attached to it such that it will open a container when the resistor breaks. Or the lever can have a weight on it which will break a rod which is being used to tie down a load. A rod can be a fuse such that when the fuse is broken an electrical signal can be generated to give an indication of the release.

DEDICATORY CLAUSE

The invention described herein was made in the course of or under acontract or subcontract thereunder with the Government and may bemanufactured, used, and licensed by or for the Government forgovernmental purposes without the payment to me of any royaltiesthereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need to develop a release mechanism to deploy objects from aballoon at high altitudes for the purpose of radar calibrationmeasurements. These measurements require the objects to have no attachedparaphernalia, such as, rope, string, glue etc. to alter the physical orelectrical characteristics especially apparent with moisture and icingwhen tracked by radar. The device must be of low cost and capable ofsupporting a wide range of size and weight requirements of the objectsto be released. In addition, it must operate reliable in harshenvironments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention operates on the principle of storing the power ofa spring loaded lever to perform a specific task when released oncommand. The lever is tied down by a resistor and released when power isapplied to the resistor from the command source. Two versions of therelease device are presently available.

Version #1--This version is capable of snapping open the lid of aplastic container and releasing its contents.

Version #2--With the addition of a solid brass rod 1" long, two mountingposts and a small glass rod, this version will be capable of releasing afairly large object cradled in the mesh net. The net is tied down at twopoints, one being the glass rod. When the command is given, the glassrod will be destroyed by the weighted lever, releasing the contents ofthe net. The glass rod can be a fuse which will allow a transmitter togive an indication of release.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic showing of a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic showing of a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the release mechanism whereby container 1having a cover 2 is opened by the release mechanism. The cover has atie-down 3 in which a string 4 is attached.

Release mechanism is made of a spring loaded lever 5 having a spring 6and a lever arm 7. The spring is wrapped about a rod 8 which is attachedto the platform 9 by tie-downs 10 and 11. The platform is made of lightweight materials such as wood, aluminum, or fiberglass. At one end ofthe platform a tie-down 12 is provided. A resistor 13 is to restrainlever arm 7 by attaching it to tie-down 12. The physical size of theresistor is determined by the amount of the spring tension the leverexerts on it in the armed position. The electrical characteristicsdepend upon the power source available. A command power source 14 isconnected across resistor 13. When command power source 14 is activated,it will apply a voltage across resistor 13 which will over dissipate theresistor by at least 5 to 10 times the specific wattage rating of theresistor. Therefore the resistor will over heat and fatigue. At thatpoint the resistor will fracture and allow the lever arm 7 to travel tothe other end of the platform. The string 4 is attached to the lever arm7 and will cause the cover 2 to open and release contents of container1.

The command voltage source can be triggered locally (hard wired to apowered source), Barometrically by using a calibrated pressure sensitivebellows where altitude tolerances are not critical and may be remotelycontrolled by either radar or radio signals. The release mechanism issafe (no explosives) and ecologically clean.

Embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 require additional components. A solidbrass rod 31 is attached to lever arm 27 and uses the same tie-down andrelease system as set forth in FIGS. 1 and 2. Namely resistor 13tie-down 12 and command voltage source 14. Mounting screws 32 and 33along with nuts 34 and 35 are shown for attaching the platform 9 to ahousing 36. A mount 41 is provided for holding a breakable rod such as aglass fuse 42. Strings 43 through 45 along with net 46 restrain a sphere48. String 43 is attached to the glass rod 42 while strings 44 and 45are attached to two tie-downs 49 (and one not shown).

When the command voltage source causes resistor 13 to break in two, thelever arm 27 will cause brass rod 31 to make contact with and shatterglass rod 42. This will cause string 43 to become free and allow sphere48 to fall free from housing 36. This will of course release the sphereor other type of large objects restrained by the net into the atmospherefor observation. A signal transmitter 51 can be connected to fuse 42 soas to sense when the fuse has been broken. Transmitter 51 can relay thisinformation so as to give a status signal and a positive indication of asuccessful or a faulty release.

The fuse is implemented as a hermetically sealed, normally closed,on-off switch. Upon impact of the weighted spring-loaded lever, theglass wll be shattered and the fuse element broken producing an opencircuit. This will cause a switching action which will be suitable togenerate an indication signal. The fuse is both electrically andmechanically sound in harsh environments in addition to simplifingconstruction as a common one-half amp, 3AG type glass fuse can be used.

I claim:
 1. A system comprising a lever, biasing means connected to saidlever so as to bias the lever to move in a predetermined direction, aplatform positioned to hold said biasing means and said lever, anelectrical element mechanically connected to said lever and to saidplatform so as to prevent said lever from moving in said predetermineddirection, an electrical supply means connected across said electricalelement such that when said electrical supply means is in an oncondition, the electrical element will be caused to fracture and releasesaid lever from movement in said predetermined direction, a breakablemeans connected to said platform, said breakable means being positionedsuch that when said lever is allowed to move in said predetermineddirection said lever will make contact with said breakable means andcause breakable means to break, a load means which is desired to bereleased when said electrical supply means is in an on condition, saidload means being tied down to said breakable means such that when saidbreakable means is broken said load means will be released, a signalgenerating means attached to said breakable means such that when saidbreakable means breaks said signal generating means will give anindication of that event, and said breakable means is a glass fusemounted on said platform with electrical connections to said signalgenerating means.
 2. A system as set forth in claim 1 further comprisinga weight means attached to said lever so as to facilitate in thebreaking of said breakable means.
 3. A system as set forth in claim 2wherein said electrical element is a resistor and said electrical supplymeans, when in the on condition will cause said resistor to overheat andfatigue therefore fracturing and releasing said lever.